The likelihood of Canadian Plasma Resources setting up shop in Saskatoon has caused some bad blood in political circles and raised questions about Saskatchewan health care.
Plasma donation takes no longer than 90 minutes. It’s similar to donating blood, but the cells are returned to the donor and only the plasma is taken. This means that “paid” donors can give much more frequently than they can for blood donations, as often as once per week. Donors are given a $25 gift card that can be used for purchases, although they cannot withdraw cash from it or transfer it to another person.
The federal NDP isn’t pleased with this practice and would like to prohibit plasma clinics nationwide. However, provincial Health Minister Dustin Duncan doesn’t support the NDP’s proposal and doesn’t agree with Ontario’s and Quebec’s move to ban such clinics.
Read the full article on The Star Phoenix web site.